But there's another necessity when it comes to excelling at the game. And all five members of the 2013 MLive-Bay City Girls Tennis Dream Team make sure to pack their determination along with the rest of their gear each time they head to the courts.

All Saints' Danielle Lutz and Brooke Jasman, Essexville Garber's Alyssa Long and Kathryn Hedenquist and Bay City Western's Alexandra Nowlin possess a grit and drive that sets them apart.

Here's a look at our third annual Dream Team:

NAME: Danielle Lutz

SCHOOL: Bay City All Saints

GRADE: 12

FLIGHT: No. 1 singles

HIGHLIGHTS: Three-year fixture at No. 1 singles, finished second in school history with 51 career wins. Went 15-4 as a senior, reaching regional semifinals. Flight champion at Bullock Creek Invite, runner-up at Garber Invite. Undefeated while leading team to Bay County Cup. Three-time Dream Team pick was co-valedictorian and co-Female Athlete of the Year at All Saints.

COACH GREG WAGNER: “She has a drive to win and she is very focused. For girls, that focus is a key factor to succeed, and she has a laser beam focus on winning.”

NAME: Alexandra Nowlin

SCHOOL: Bay City Western

GRADE: 12

FLIGHT: No. 1 singles

HIGHLIGHTS: Rose through the ranks to reach No. 1 singles in her final year. Posted a 7-9 record and earned first-team all-Saginaw Valley League honors. Senior captain scored at the SVL Championships. Posted signature wins over Flushing, Midland and Mount Pleasant.

COACH TONY VILLANO: “When you play Alex, you might as well play against a wall because she’s going to hit it back every time. She doesn’t hit it hard or try to be clever, but she gets it back. She plays a smart game and beats her opponent with discipline and patience.”

NAME: Alyssa Long

SCHOOL: Essexville Garber

GRADE: 12

FLIGHT: No. 1 singles

HIGHLIGHTS: Four-year varsity standout is 20th in program history with 53 career wins. Went 15-13 this spring in her first year at the top spot in the lineup. Runner-up at Tri-Valley Conference Championship and consolation champ at Garber Invite. Senior leader worked her way up from No. 4 doubles as a freshman.

COACH KYLE SEIBERT: “She’s a very determined player. She doesn’t necessarily have all the shot of a No. 1 single, but she wants it as bad as anybody. She would play for six hours, if that’s what it took, because of her determination. That is her best quality.”

NAME: Brooke Jasman

SCHOOL: Bay City All Saints

CLASS: 12

FLIGHT: No. 2 singles

HIGHLIGHTS: After setting the school record with 34 career doubles victories, moved up to singles for her final year. Posted a 14-4 record and earned the No. 1 seed for regionals. Captured flight championship at Bullock Creek Invite. Landed signature wins vs. Nouvel and Midland. Team captain and co-valedictorian is heading to University of Michigan. Named co-Female Athlete of the Year at All Saints.

COACH GREG WAGNER: “For a girl who never took a lesson, she’s been pretty impressive. She’s had some 40- and 50-ball rallies. Some points go so long, they forget the score. But she is a true battler. She never quit.”

NAME: Kathryn Hedenquist

SCHOOL: Essexville Garber

GRADE: 12

FLIGHT: No. 2 singles

HIGHLIGHTS: Excelled in just her second season of varsity action, rising all the way to No. 2 in the lineup. Posted 11 victories on the year, winning consolation crown at Garber Invite. Battled through back injury much of the season. Scored signature win over Hemlock.

COACH KYLE SEIBERT: “She has an overwhelming enthusiasm for tennis. She loves the matches, she loves practices and she loves everything about the team. She’s going to give you everything she’s got when she’s out there because she loves the competition.”